The Holy Spirit as the Origin of Lent
The Tightrope: Reflections for Busy Catholics
“What does Lent mean to you?” This question really made me think about why Lent exists. We know it’s derived from Jesus’ forty days in the desert, but what caused Jesus to go there in the first place? Matthew 4:1 says, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” So the origin of Lent, the reason Jesus went into the desert in the first place, is because he was led by the Holy Spirit. We too, are prompted by the Holy Spirit to fast, pray, and give alms for these forty days. These practices help us empty ourselves so we may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit as Jesus was. Snippet from the Show “Come Holy Spirit, come and breath into our fasting, prayer, and almsgiving so that what we do this Lenten season would unite us deeply and firmly to Christ.”